ECONOMIC QUALITIES

The Marans is a general purpose fowl for production of both meat and eggs. The breed is most famous for its large, dark chocolate-russet eggs, but it is also known for the fine flavor of meat. 

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Color of skin: White. 

Color of egg shells: Very dark reddish brown

STANDARD WEIGHTS

Cock.............8lbs  Hen........6. 1/2 lbs

Cockerel........7lbs  Pullet.......5 1/2 lbs

DISQUALIFICATIONS

Yellow on shanks or toes. White earlobes. Pearl or black eyes. Absence of feathers on shanks 

COMB:   Single, moderately large, straight, upright, evenly serrated with five points; the blade not touching the neck.

BEAK:   Long, stout and well curved.

FACE:   Smooth, skin fine and soft in texture.

EYES:   Large and prominent.

WATTLES:   Medium in size, oval, skin fine in texture.

EAR-LOBES:   Average in size, long.

HEAD:   Moderate in size, slightly flattened on top, and long.

NECK:   Moderately long and full, arched. Hackle abundant, flowing well over the shoulders.

BACK:   Wide at the shoulders, long, flat, slightly tilted to the rear. Slightly more inclined than that of the female. 

Saddle feathers--abundant, saddle large and slightly raised.

TAIL:   Full, rather short, carried at an angle of 45 degrees above horizontal.
Main tail feathers--broad and overlapping, shorter than average. 

Sickles--shorter than average.

WINGS:   Short, held close to the body, carriage nearly horizontal.
Primaries and secondaries -- broad and overlapping in natural order when wing is folded.

BREAST:   Strong, broad, and full. Well rounded when viewed from both the front and side.

BODY AND FLUFF:   Body--deep, long and broad, especially through the shoulders which are carried high. Overall, rectangular in shape.
Fluff--medium in length.

LEGS and TOES:   Legs set well apart and straight when viewed from the front.
Lower thighs--strong and well feathered.
Shanks--medium length, stout, and straight; lightly feathered down the outer sides.
Toes--four long and well-separated toes on each foot. Outer toes lightly feathered, middle toes free from feathers.

PLUMAGE:   Moderately tight and smooth textured.

SHAPE - MALE

SHAPE - FEMALE

COMB:  Single, smaller than that of the male; straight and upright, evenly serrated with five points, and fine in texture.
No female in or near production with the rear portion of the comb lopped should be discriminated against.

BEAK:   Long, stout and well curved.

FACE:   Smooth, skin fine and soft in texture.

EYES:   Large and prominent.

WATTLES:   Medium in size, oval.

EAR-LOBES:   Average in size, long.

HEAD:   Moderate in size, slightly flattened on top, and long.

BACK:   Wide at the shoulders, long, flat, and slightly tilted to the rear. Slightly less inclined than that of the male.

NECK:   Moderately long and full, arched.

TAIL:   Full, rather short, carried at an angle of 45 degrees above horizontal.
Main tail feathers--broad and overlapping, shorter than average.

WINGS:   Short, held close to the body, carriage nearly horizontal.
Primaries and secondaries--broad and overlapping in natural order when wing is folded.

BREAST:   Strong, broad, and full. Well rounded when viewed from both the front and side.

BODY AND FLUFF:   Body--deep, long and broad, especially through the shoulders which are carried high. Should be more rounded than the male.
Fluff--medium in length.

LEGS AND TOES:   Legs set well apart, straight when viewed from the front.
Lower Thighs--strong and well feathered.
Shanks--medium length, stout, and straight; lightly feathered down the outer sides.
Toes--four long and well-separated toes on each foot. Outer toes lightly feathered, middle toes free from feathers.

PLUMAGE:   Moderately tight and smooth textured.

Used with permission from the American Standard of Perfection, 44th edition.